Deadly Greenwich Park accident: Lorry driver to face Judge, jury over death of 5 persons

A 38-year-old man is to stand trial in connection with the March 2023 collision at Greenwich Park Public Road, East Bank Essequibo (EBE), which left five persons dead and several with serious injuries. Stewartville, West Coast Demerara (WCD) lorry driver, Ewart Stewart stands charged with five counts of the offence of causing death by dangerous driving.
Leonora Magistrate’s Court Magistrate Zamilla Ally-Seepaul committed him to stand trial at the High Court of Demerara recently following a preliminary inquiry into the charges.
She determined that the prosecution had presented adequate evidence against him.
He is expected to go on trial by a jury before a Judge at the next practicable sitting of the Demerara Criminal Assizes. As it relates to the death by dangerous driving allegations, Stewart, who was initially charged on March 9, 2023, has not been granted bail. He is a remanded prisoner.
Those who died were: Margaret Kennedy, 72, of Tuschen, East Bank Essequibo (EBE); 57-year-old Olga Reddy of Parika, EBE; bus driver 50-year-old Vernon Prowell of Bent Street, Wortmanville, Georgetown; 40-year-old Elvis Charles of Ruby, EBE; and 71-year-old Stella Parhoo of Parika, EBE.
In relation to the other charges for driving an uninsured vehicle and driving an uncertified vehicle, Stewart was admitted to $200,000 bail after pleading not guilty.
He will also face trial for these two charges at the High Court.
Prowell was the driver of a minibus, BWW 8364, in which Parhoo, Kennedy, Reddy, and Charles were passengers. Several other passengers were seriously injured following that horrific accident which occurred on the morning of March 6, 2023.
Reports are that motor lorry GZZ 2285, driven by Stewart, was proceeding east along the northern side of the Greenwich Park Public Road at a fast rate of speed behind motor car PWW 836.
The lorry driver alleges that the driver of the car made a sudden stop to allow a pedestrian to cross the road, and he swerved to the right to avoid a collision with the car, but, in the process, he collided with the minibus, which was proceeding from the opposite direction.
The impact of the crash also caused a Guyana Power and Light (GPL) pole to break and fall into a house in the area. However, no one was injured in the home.
Following the accident, a party of Policemen visited the scene and carried out an investigation. A breath analysis carried out on the driver of the motor lorry showed a reading of .00%. (G1)